Health Care Workers Under Fire

" Well a major change in the way state hit the state handles drug abusing health workers. California plans to impose new standards on nurses dentists and other medical professionals in the State's drug recovery program. The new rules were announced by state the state department of consumer affairs yesterday. And they come on the heels of an investigation by the Los Angeles Times and the nonprofit newsroom -- public pro public. That report detailed how a number of registered nurses were treating patients without permission it also found some who stole drugs while participating in the State's confidential recovery program. For more we're joined live now on the KCBS -- by Republica a reporter Charles Ornstein we thank you so much for the time today. Tell us a little bit about these new rules and how they're different from the regulations that have already been in place."

" a new rules really are quite strict and applied to all health professionals. That are licensed in the state of California and essentially. What they say is that when you're at a recovery program that's run by the states. You'll be required in the first year to taken bit of a 104 drug test. And at least fifty every year after that so it's it's. In some cases more than double the current requirements have had many more times the current requirement if you test positive even wants for a banned substance. Here automatically elections go to an inactive status meeting you cannot treat patients. And also had a really a major development the -- start listing on the state public web site. Any restrictions for pakistanis cable licenses so if they need supervision on the job that there are limits to how many hours they can work. If they can't work for certain types of employers the public and the employers will be able to feed them. For themselves as opposed to keeping that information confidential."

" Why did new strict rules what's been going on that it has led the state to impose these very strict regulations."

" The -- is this really goes back even before our story and last year 2008. The medical board which oversees doctors. Closed its program its recovery program for physicians. After audits repeated audit determined that it was really failing in its mission of protecting patients instead with protecting doctors who were addicted. That the medical board closed its program and the legislature ordered a really comprehensive review of all types of programs that treat. Drug and alcohol abusing its. Not only physicians and other health professionals as well and what came about as the result."

" So how. And -- but to elaborate about a little bit some power these rules created."

" This committee asked several times and they were discussing various aspects of how. Each state board should handle drug addicted professionals whether their recovery program which is called diversion or whether they're at a probation program. Today -- experts they had debates you know about themselves and that they tried just started from the very beginning of what happens per person to to get into the program. And what happens to the license at the very beginning to very -- the process which is if somebody has lost her license -- petitioning to get a license back. What they have to prove and ordered to do that so it's pretty -- perhaps for the covers. Pretty much -- stages of the process as well as all to protect the health professionals and that's what I think that make these new rules EDT."

" any concern that didn't. Some health professionals might not seek help for their problems if you've given -- strict rules."

" That has been a concern that the voice steadily within the state but also what we talked to the head of the association. Which is -- you know the trigger for all of these sort of alternative programs. They said that their their concern that that's what drives. Professionals underground. On the other hand the response to that -- that there are lots of different opportunities for treatment and recovery that exist outside of early this state program that. Lebanese interest in getting help can get that help and oftentimes when they come to the State's attention and it's. It's because their employers can turn the bandits or date and arrest either convict -- a private. And so they're there have to pretty state of the state program in order to avoid any sort of disciplinary action be taken against."

" All right -- we thank you very much for the information and for your time. That's pro public a reporter Charles Ornstein."